Texas Instruments BQ500511ARHAR

Overview

BQ500511ARHAR from Texas Instruments is a WPC v1.2 A11-compliant wireless power transmitter controller IC designed to pair with the bq50002A analog front end for 5-V Qi-certified charging systems. It delivers up to 5 W output, achieves >75% system efficiency, and implements robust foreign object detection (FOD) with <30 mW standby power during digital ping.

For engineers reviewing the BQ500511ARHAR datasheet, BQ500511ARHAR pinout, BQ500511ARHAR application, or BQ500511ARHAR equivalent, key selection considerations include its VQFN-40 package thermal performance, I²C-based system integration, Dynamic Power Limiting™ (DPL) for USB-limited supplies, and FOD calibration via external resistors on FOD_THR/FOD_CAL pins.

Technical Context

The BQ500511ARHAR operates as a digital baseband controller in a two-chip transmitter architecture, communicating with the bq50002A AFE via PWM/CLK signals and bidirectional COMM1/COMM2 channels. It executes WPC v1.2 packet parsing, frequency- or duty-cycle-based power regulation (110–205 kHz), and real-time FOD by comparing input power, receiver-reported power, and system losses.

Its functional modes include active power transfer with LED/buzzer status indication, low-power ping mode (<340 µA at 85°C), and fault-handling states triggered by overvoltage, overtemperature (NTC-sensed), or FOD trip - all managed through dedicated I/O pins including DRV_EN, MODE, and PWM_CTRL for full-bridge gate drive coordination.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

The BQ500511ARHAR is housed in a thermally enhanced 6 mm × 6 mm, 40-pin VQFN (RHA) package with exposed thermal pad for PCB heat dissipation. Pin functions are validated per TI SLUSCN3A datasheet Rev. A (August 2016).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar wireless power transmitter controller applications.

Compared with bq51222ARHAT and MP-A20, the BQ500511ARHAR offers superior thermal management in its 6-mm VQFN package, deterministic PWM-based control timing with bq50002A, and field-proven FOD calibration methodology - making it optimal for industrial and medical designs requiring traceable safety validation.

Availability

BQ500511ARHAR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smartphone charging pads, wearable docks, medical device stations, and automotive in-car transmitters requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and WPC v1.2 certification readiness.

Supply support for BQ500511ARHAR includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company delivering analog and embedded processing solutions for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, and communications markets.

The BQ500511ARHAR belongs to TI's Wireless Power Transmitter Controller product line, engineered specifically to enable compact, safe, and standards-compliant 5-V Qi charging systems when paired with the bq50002A AFE.

FAQ

What is the role of the BQ500511ARHAR in a wireless power transmitter system?

The BQ500511ARHAR serves as the digital baseband controller in a two-chip wireless power transmitter architecture. It handles WPC v1.2 protocol execution, power regulation via frequency/duty-cycle commands to the bq50002A analog front end, foreign object detection, fault management, and LED/buzzer status indication - all while consuming less than 30 mW in standby ping mode. The BQ500511ARHAR does not drive power stages directly but coordinates them through dedicated control pins like DRV_EN, MODE, and PWM_CTRL.

Does the BQ500511ARHAR support WPC v1.2 A11 coil specification out of the box?

Yes, the BQ500511ARHAR is designed specifically for WPC v1.2 A11 transmitter coil configurations. Its internal firmware and control algorithms are fixed to comply with the A11 coil geometry and matching capacitor requirements defined in the WPC standard. While it can be used in proprietary systems, the A11 compliance is inherent and requires no configuration - making the BQ500511ARHAR suitable for Qi-certified products without modification.

How is Foreign Object Detection (FOD) implemented in the BQ500511ARHAR?

The BQ500511ARHAR implements FOD by continuously calculating unaccounted power loss using measured input power (via ISENSE), known system losses, and power reported by the receiver. Thresholds are set via external resistors on FOD_THR (0–1000 mW range) and calibrated using FOD_CAL to compensate for load-dependent variations. When loss exceeds the threshold, the BQ500511ARHAR halts power transfer and asserts fault indicators - satisfying WPC v1.2 safety requirements without requiring host MCU involvement.

Can the BQ500511ARHAR operate from a standard USB 5-V supply?

Yes, the BQ500511ARHAR supports operation from a 5-V USB supply using its Dynamic Power Limiting™ (DPL) feature. When input voltage sags due to limited source capability, DPL automatically reduces output power to maintain stability - indicated visually via LED patterns. This allows robust charging from USB ports without external regulators or complex power management firmware, making the BQ500511ARHAR ideal for portable and automotive USB-powered transmitters.

What package type and thermal characteristics does the BQ500511ARHAR have?

The BQ500511ARHAR is packaged in a 40-pin VQFN (RHA) with 6 mm × 6 mm body size and exposed thermal pad. Its thermal metrics include R_θJA = 31.8°C/W and R_θJB = 6.8°C/W, enabling effective heat dissipation on standard 2-layer PCBs. The VCORE pin requires a 470-nF decoupling capacitor, and the package supports JEDEC J-STD-020 reflow profiles with peak temperature ≤260°C - ensuring manufacturability and reliability in high-volume production of the BQ500511ARHAR.